Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises an electronic functional device for performing a function of said implantable medical device, said electronic functional device having an operational state for performing said function and a switched-off state. A wake-up device serves for transferring said functional device from said switched-off state to said operational state. The wake-up device comprises a first timer circuit for repeatedly transferring the functional device to the operational state according to a predetermined first timing scheme, a detection device for detecting a signal from a signal source external to the implantable medical device, and a second timer circuit for repeatedly switching the detection device to a reception state according to a second timing scheme.

Abstract: An assembly includes an electromagnetic coil with a conductor, and a substrate on which the conductor is arranged. The coil has a core and the conductor extends around the core. The core is formed by a ferromagnetic rivet that is fastened to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable sensor for detecting an electrical excitation of muscle cells, in particular cardiac muscle cells, wherein it is provided that the sensor comprises a dielectric component and a contact point for contacting muscle cells, which is connected to the dielectric component, so that an electric field in the dielectric component, and correspondingly a capacitance of the dielectric component, change with an electrical excitation of the muscle cells. The invention furthermore relates to a system comprising a sensor and an implant.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable sensor for detecting an electrical excitation of muscle cells, in particular cardiac muscle cells, wherein it is provided that the sensor comprises a dielectric component and a contact point for contacting muscle cells, which is connected to the dielectric component, so that an electric field in the dielectric component, and correspondingly a capacitance of the dielectric component, change with an electrical excitation of the muscle cells. The invention furthermore relates to a system comprising a sensor and an implant.

Abstract: An assembly includes an electromagnetic coil with a conductor, and a substrate on which the conductor is arranged. The coil has a core and the conductor extends around the core. The core is formed by a ferromagnetic rivet that is fastened to the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments include an implant and a method of operating the implant. The implant includes a receiver that receives first ultrasound signals emitted by an external transmitting unit of a further apparatus. The receiver includes a piezoelement, which is excited by the first ultrasound signals at a first resonance frequency (f1) and therefrom converts the mechanical energy transferred with the first ultrasound signals into electrical energy. In embodiments of the invention, the piezoelement is additionally excited at a second resonance frequency (f2), which differs from the first resonance frequency (f1), and at the second resonance frequency (f2) operates as a transmitter to transmit second ultrasound signals.

Abstract: A device, system and method that communicate with at least one implantable medical device (IMD). The device includes a unit and a surface having at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with the at least one IMD. A minimum pressure required for the contact between transmission or reception elements and skin is provided by gravity or by patient interaction with the device. The system includes the at least one IMD, the unit that communicates with the at least one IMD and the device having the at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with the at least one IMD. The method includes the steps of providing a surface having at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with an IMD, and enabling communication upon detection of a minimum pressure on the surface. The communication with the IMD is acoustic or conductive.

Abstract: Embodiments include an epicardial heart stimulator that includes a housing and electric components arranged in the housing. The electric components include a stimulation unit, a stimulation control unit, and at least one stimulation electrode on the housing. The stimulation electrode is connected to the stimulation unit and to the stimulation control unit. The stimulation unit provides electric energy that corresponds to a stimulation pulse and delivers the stimulation pulse via the stimulation electrode upon a corresponding trigger signal of the stimulation control unit. The epicardial heart stimulator includes a sensing electrode on the housing that senses electric potentials and that is electrically connected to a sensing unit in the housing. The sensing unit is connected to the stimulation control unit. The stimulation control unit, in a corresponding operating mode, controls the delivery of a respective trigger signal in accordance with an output signal of the sensing unit.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having a hollow housing and a connector housing connected (e.g., rigidly) together, each containing electrical components. The components contained in the hollow housing include a receiver for wireless communication. The components contained in the connector housing include an antenna electrically connected to the receiver and configured to receive electromagnetic waves having a frequency greater than 100 MHz. The receiver/antenna allows the receipt of data in the MICS frequency band. The electrical components arranged in the connector housing additionally include a resonant circuit having a coil and a capacitor which is inductively coupled to the antenna. The resonant circuit is matched to magnetic alternating fields in a frequency range between 5 kHz and 50 MHz, preferably having a resonance frequency between 5 kHz and 50 MHz. The resonant circuit is suitable for data communication in the near field of the implantable medical device via magnetic alternating fields.

Abstract: A medical device including an evaluation unit and an electrode line. The electrode line includes at least one temperature sensor. The temperature sensor delivers a temperature signal to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit evaluates periodic fluctuations of a signal level of the temperature signal and generates an evaluation output signal qualifying constant wall touching of the electrode line according to whether periodic fluctuations of a signal level of the temperature signal lie below or above a predetermined limit value.

Abstract: Embodiments include an implant and a method of operating the implant. The implant includes a receiver that receives first ultrasound signals emitted by an external transmitting unit of a further apparatus. The receiver includes a piezoelement, which is excited by the first ultrasound signals at a first resonance frequency (f1) and therefrom converts the mechanical energy transferred with the first ultrasound signals into electrical energy. In embodiments of the invention, the piezoelement is additionally excited at a second resonance frequency (f2), which differs from the first resonance frequency (f1), and at the second resonance frequency (f2) operates as a transmitter to transmit second ultrasound signals.

Abstract: Embodiments include an epicardial heart stimulator that includes a housing and electric components arranged in the housing. The electric components include a stimulation unit, a stimulation control unit, and at least one stimulation electrode on the housing. The stimulation electrode is connected to the stimulation unit and to the stimulation control unit. The stimulation unit provides electric energy that corresponds to a stimulation pulse and delivers the stimulation pulse via the stimulation electrode upon a corresponding trigger signal of the stimulation control unit. The epicardial heart stimulator includes a sensing electrode on the housing that senses electric potentials and that is electrically connected to a sensing unit in the housing. The sensing unit is connected to the stimulation control unit. The stimulation control unit, in a corresponding operating mode, controls the delivery of a respective trigger signal in accordance with an output signal of the sensing unit.

Abstract: A device, system and method that communicate with at least one implantable medical device (IMD). The device includes a unit and a surface having at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with the at least one IMD. A minimum pressure required for the contact between transmission or reception elements and skin is provided by gravity or by patient interaction with the device. The system includes the at least one IMD, the unit that communicates with the at least one IMD and the device having the at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with the at least one IMD. The method includes the steps of providing a surface having at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with an IMD, and enabling communication upon detection of a minimum pressure on the surface. The communication with the IMD is acoustic or conductive.

Abstract: A medical device including an evaluation unit and an electrode line. The electrode line includes at least one temperature sensor. The temperature sensor delivers a temperature signal to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit evaluates periodic fluctuations of a signal level of the temperature signal and generates an evaluation output signal qualifying constant wall touching of the electrode line according to whether periodic fluctuations of a signal level of the temperature signal lie below or above a predetermined limit value.